History & Mission

History

The Black Academic Scholarship Fund (BASF) has been active in the community since 1991. Its main goal is to provide scholarships to visible minority students who are actively pursuing a course of study at an accredited institution. The objective is to enhance the economic status of the community by providing more opportunities for students to achieve their educational goals.

The organization received its Letters Patent dated March 13, 1996 with the Registered Charity No. 89440 6396 RR0001. This facilitates the provision of tax receipts to contributors.

The Fund collaborates with other organizations in order to identify internships, support the networking process, provide career advice, and offer career counselling services on a one-to-one basis when needed. In addition, it sponsors Youth Programs directed by creditable organizations.

In 1992, Glen Gunning, former MABBP president, suggested the idea of a golf tournament as a fundraiser. This resulted in the creation of the Jackie Robinson International Golf Tournament. The tournament remains one of the major activities hosted by the BASF annually to raise funds for the scholarship program. The first golf committee was formed in 1993, and consisted of Theresa Benedek, Kipling Crooks, Shane Brady and Don Reid. Their ideas and procedures are the basis of the current format.

The tournament contributes scholarships annually to deserving students. Between 1996 and 2017, a total of 240 scholarships have been awarded to students in Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Trade & Career programs. Some of the past recipients are now valuable contributors to the Montreal, Quebec and Canadian communities.

Mission

Black Academic Scholarship Fund (BASF) exists to provide financial assistance to visible minority students who are in the process of acquiring an education in any area of study at an accredited institution and to provide career advice and counselling services.